Method and apparatus for forming wire entanglements



May 23, 1944 c. H. PETERSON ET AL 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Filed Feb. 23, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 'N :wlw

FIEA- FIEM- May 23, 1944; c.`H. PETERSON ET AL 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Filed Feb. 2s, 1942 'r sheds-sheet 2 May 23,1944- c` H. PETERSON ET Al. 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Filed Feb. 23, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 23, 1944 c. H. PETERSON ET Al. 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Filed Feb. 25, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 23, 1944- c. H. PETERSON ET A1. 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Filed Feb. 25, 1942 7 sheets-sheet 5 May 23, 1944- c. H. PETERSON x-:T Al. 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS -FoR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Filed Feb. 25, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 F157. FHI-3.5.

May 23, '1944. c, H. PETERSON ETAI. 2,349,750

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 25, 1942 FHS- 12- FHS. 14. W |1515. W

Patented May 23, 1944 METHOD AND APPARATUS F03 FORMING WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS Carl H. Peterson and William V. Moren, Worces ter, Mass., assignors to The American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey, a corporation o! New Jersey Appliestion reruary'zs. 1942, sensi Ndiszgos'o Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for forming coiled obstacles herein referred to as entanglements adapted to be placed in the path of either horsedrawn or mechanized War machines such as neld arltillery, tanks, armored cars and like equipment used in modern warfare.

One object of the invention is to provide a method andA means for very quickly and inexpensively forming an entanglement in the nature of a collapsed coiled spring-like structure with certain convolutions clipped together in the special manner hereinafter shown and described.

Another object is to provide an eiilcient mechanism for carrying out the novel method steps hereinafter disclosed and claimed.

In accordance with our invention, wire stock in the bundled form that it customarily comes from a wire or rod mill is rotatably supported on a conventional type of pay-olf reel mechanism. From this rotatable support the wire is advanced by power driven feed wheels through a guide and between cooperating forming rolls which are effective to impart a predetermined arcuate curvature to the stock to suit the requirements of the particular size of entanglement being constructed. For example, if the helix is to be of a diameter of approximately 4 feet, the forming rollers bend the wire stock to a 2 feet radius. The thus bent and advancing wire stock is supported by a circular series of freely rotatable cylinders which jointly serve to rotatably support the helix, which is being continually formed. At least one of the cylinders is preferably positively driven at intermittentr intervals. During the dwell periods between the intermittent partial rotations irnparted to the helix, a supply of fiat wire, herein,

termed clip stock, is fed transversely of the adjacent convolutions and at intervals, a predetermined length of said clip stock is severed, whereupon cooperating des come into play to form a substantially U-shaped clip, the legs of which straddle adjacent convolutions of the entanglement being formed. Subsequently the legs of the clip are clinched over such convolutions, whereupon partial rotation is given to the helical entanglement and another length of clip stock is fed to position, severed, formed into a clip, and clinched to one of the two adjacent convolutions.

The above and further detailed aspects of the invention will be fully apparent from a consideration of the following disclosure and claims, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

20 formed;

dwellsfor a short interval.

(Cl. 14o-3) Figure 1 is a plan view showing the general layout of apparatus for carrying out the method steps of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of Figure 1;

l Figure 3 is an elevation from the left of Figure 2: v

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of parts shown in Figure 2 principally illustrating the means for imparting a periodic partial rotation to the wire l0 helix being formed and for guiding the convolutions thereof to the means for applying clips which :loin such convolutions at predetermined peripherally spaced points;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line V-Y 15 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view showing an entanglement such as formed by the method and apparatus of the present invention, the same being in the condensed or collapsed condition in which it is Figure 7 is a View of the same entanglement shown in Figure 6 but illustrating the expanded condition thereof in which it is intended to be used to hamper advancing war equipment;

Figureis an end view of Figure 6;

Figures 9 and 9a are diagrammatic perspective views illustrating the manner of staggering the clips along the length of the helix constituting the main portion of the entanglement;

30 Figure 10 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale showing in detail the manner of attachment of adjacent convolutions of the wire helix;

Figure 11 is a section on line XI-XI of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a section on line XII-XII of Figure 5 with parts broken away and with parts omitted in the interest of clearness:

Figure 13 is an enlarged view of parts shown in Figure 12; and

' Figures 14 and 15 are fragmentary detail views illustrating other portions of certain parts shown in Figure 12.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I0 represents a reel carrying a bundle or other convenient supply of rod or wire stock I2 which, according to the present invention, is led to a helix forming station Il where itis formed into a helical coil Cwith the convolutions thereof secured together at staggered locations, as shown in Figures 6, 8, 9 and 9*.

Means are' provided at the station I4 for peri odically rotating the convolutions of the helical coil C a predetermined fraction of a revolution, whereupon the ceiling motion is interrupted or During each dwell vFigures 10 and 11. is secured to two 12 and 13) upon the down-stroke of a vertically reciprocating head 24. The head carries-a plurality of male die elements 28,128 and 30. which coact with the xed female die member 32. The member 30 is located between and is slidable relative to the members 28 andv28.. The parts" are so constructed and operated that after 'a short length of clip stock has been severed by the knife 22, the head 24 will descend, for'example. Afrom the position shown', in Figure 13 toward thepositionv shown in Figure 14. During this movement the dieinembers 2s and 2s will force the convolutions down, which in turnv will push the severed -ien'gth of cup stock intethe cavity of die member l2,`th us transforming the e severed length of stock into the substantially `U shaped clip shown in Figure 1 4. `Further downward movement of the dieelement 3 0`will cause the free ends of the clip stock to lie-clinched over l jl the adjacent convolutions of the wire helix; rIn 'ffother words, the U-shaped clipl will be transformed from lthe shape shown in Figure 14 to the clinched form shown in Figures `11 and 15.

v .v This entire severing of the clip 'stock and vthe forming of the clip and clinching of it to adjacent convolutions is accomplished during the short dwell interval of the intermittent rotary move- .ment of thewire helix. l

'I'he various component parts'of the mechanism are so related and coordinated that` they apply the clips in a predetermined staggered ref 9. This staggering o f the points at which the Y v convolutions are united by the clipsinvolves a lozenge-shaped figures.

lation to theV convolutions of the helix, as will be apparent from examination of Figures 6 and problem peculiar to the formation of the ultimate entanglement such .as shown in i Figure v 7. In

order'to bring.l about lthis staggering manner of attachment, we have devised the-special novel stituting one phase .of the invention.

mechanism herein shown and described and con--` It is essential to provide the staggered arranger ment of the clips `so thatwhen'theentanglement.

is transformed from the collapsed .andcoiled'gcom dition shownin Figures 6 and 9 tothe expendedj. j condition shown inFgurefZ, thejportions between f' the clips, as viewed in that the increments of each convolution between the clips converge toward adjacent clipain the expanded condition of Figure 7. .Suchconverga ing portions of the expanded lstructure forma very effective entanglement,since moving objects tendto wedge themselves within the portions'. of

the wire near the apexes of the lozenge portions.

Thus the product resulting from thepractice of also provide a formidable either-cavalry or infantry.

In order to secure the attaching clips accordthe invention provides a very eifective device for snaring oncoming motorized artillery andgwill 'ing tothe desired staggered pattern alongthe were substantially parallel `portions,offja..convo-V lut'ed helical wire become convering` entangle ment portions, it being apparent from .Fl`gilre-7 `70 obstacle to f harass .e of metal wire in such manner that itsf'con Olli-,gg

tions are of substantially uniform diameter then" secure clips around two adjacent conyolu tions, for example, as shownl in Figure -11 The hclix`is vthen turned a predetermined`fractionf-of a revolution, whereupon a secondclip `is jsec 1 i red to the convolutions. Thereafter we similarly rej i peat the clip attaching' step and fractional rotz'ition of the helix to clip together theseveral conv volutions at a multiplicity of predetermined cir-g' cularly -spaced locations. In carrying out ths.. method of attaching theclips inthe' desired rvstaggeredfrelationship to form 'the loitenge-wv 'Y shaped entangling portions in the A'n nisl'iedjl'iro f 'uct,`it is important that an orderly predete mined sequence of operations be followed. "f `While not limited thereto, it is c onvenient' for purpose of descriptionvto consider the circle-fof*- the helix to be divided intenve equal parte: For, example, as shown in Figure v8 the' nrfst clip will'fy; be clinched or otherwise permanently` securdt two adjacent convolutions at the point .inarl;ed

"ilrst clip." Thewire helix will'then beturnfeh about its axis. two-fifths cfa revolution, wl'ieie v y Y 'upon another clip willbe applied. This is marked ."secondf clip in Figure'B. At the next 'stagethe' helix will be turned two-fifths of` a revolution and the third clip applied. This isrnarked third z; clip in Figure 8. Upon the next two-fifths of 30 a revolution afourth clip will be applied toan alternate pair ofconvolutions ofthe helix. Since the helix has thus been turned through' one an one-fifths revolution, the fourth clipwill thus be located midway between the rst clip and the 35 second clip.y Thereafter the helix will again be rotated two-ilfths of a revolution and a fth clip'willbe applied midway between the second "clip and thethird clip. Upon the next feeding movement of the helix the sixth clip will bel aia- .40 Aplied practically in line with the first clip shown `in-Ii'guref8.` `Thus thealternate pairs of convolutions will be clipped together in'the `staggered fashion illus- --trated inFiguresG and9 so as to permit of the lozenge formation substantially as pictured 'in the fexpandedcondition of Figure 7. In order to form the helix and to properly apply the clips in the staggered mannerre'quired to, producefthe specific entanglement shown jand described vby z way of example. v we providezme'ans for periodi--v cally advancing an .amoimtof wire stock from the supply bundle 'I2 at each intermittent feed-i v ing stroke equal to' two-'fifths of the .circumference o fa circlewhich wouldcircum'scribe vthe lhelix to vbe'forxned. Durlngthis feeding I n'ove-VV ment thewireis subjectedjto a bending action so asiv impart the necessaryarcuate' form to each ."-two-flfth increment as it is' advanced. vThe fcr'v l wardjfeed of .thewire'isy effected by two pairs of grooved feed rollers 34, 36,' 38 and 40` shown'in Figures:v 2 Land 4. TheyV exert suilicientfriction gripon the .fwire to withdraw it from the bundle I2 andadvancje .it'thrpugh ,a passageway in, an j adjustable guide 'member 42 which is pivoted at 05 44. From the guidemember the wire is fed into the zone of influence of three rollers 45,' 48 and 50. which are -so positioned with relation to one another as to impartan arcuate form to the wire. The roller 5U is adjustablyl mounted in a housing 52, and adjusting means 54 yare provided whereby. itsposition can be varied so as to impart to lthe wire an arcuate bend Yof predetermined magnif- Y tude. Thus. by varying the position of the roller lilv the apparatus' can be' made effective to coil belixes of different diameters.

. wise.

ascenso The feed rollers 84 through 40A and the forming rollers 48 through 50 are intermittently driven from a constantly rotating motor Il which carries a pulley 58 connected by a belt 88 with a pulley 82 on a shaft 84 which in turn carries a pulley 88 which transmits motion to a pulley 88 through a belt 10. From the pulley 88 power is transmitted to a shaft 12 through belt 14 and pulley 18. The shaft 12 carries a driving pinion 18 which meshes. with a gear 80 on a shaft 82. This shaft has secured thereto a crank arm 84 which carries a crankpin 88 engaging a slide block 88 which works in a guideway slot 80 formed in the radial arm 82 of a gear segment 84 which is pivotally supported on a fixed stud 88. The gear segment meshes with a pinion 88 so mounted .that it is free to turn in one direction on a shaft |00. 'Ihe shaft |00 carries a oneway clutch |02 which is so constructed and arranged that when the segment 84 moves counterclockwise on its forward stroke (as viewed in Figure 2) and consequently turns the gear 98 clockwise, the shaft will be turned clock- At the same time a gear |04 secured to the shaft |00 will be turned clockwise. This will impart counterclockwise rotation to gears |08 and |08 secured to the respective shafts ||0 and ||2 which carry the lower wire feed wheels 88 and 40.

Shafts ||4 and ||8 which support the feed rollers 84 and 88 carry gears I |8 and |20 which mesh with the gears I|8 and |2| on shafts ||0 and ||2, respectively. 'Ihe wire feed mechanism above described is so arranged that as the segment 94 moves forward (counterclockwise in Figure 2). the feed rollers 34, 38, 38 and 40 will be turned in the directions indicated by the arrows so as to feed the wire |2 forward a distance corresponding to two-fifths of the circumference of the helix C. It will be understood that the forward counterclockwise motion of the segment is effected by the throw of the crankpin 88. During the forward motion of the segment the clutch |02 is active and motion is transmitted from the shaft |00 to the gear 88. On the backward stroke of the segment 94 (clockwise stroke in Figure 2), the clutch is passive, that is, it slips and thus permits the gear 98 to turn freely on the shaft' |00. Hence no backward motion is imparted to the shaft |00 nor is any motion imparted to the feed rollers 34, 38, 38 and 40 during such back stroke. During the back stroke of the segment it is therefore apparent that there is a dwell period during which' the helix does not turn. During this dwell period mechanism to be presently described comes into play to sever a length of the clip stock and form it into substantial U-shape, which clip in turn is clinched onto adjacent convolutions of the wire helix.

Means are also provided for rotatably supporting the wire helix being formed and clipped. this supporting enacting with the means which intermittently turn the helix two-fifths of a revolution upon each forward stroke of the segment 84 and also coacting with feed fingers hereinafter described which serve topush the intermittently accumulating helix longitudinally outward on the freely rotatable supports |32 to be presently described. y 4

The drive for intermittently turning the wire helix includes a pulley |22 mounted on the shaft ||2 which is connected by a belt |24 with a pulley |28 mounted on a shaft |28. which carries a roller |80 faced with rubber or other friction illustrated or described in detail.

material so as to exert sufliclent traction on the wire helix to positively rotate the samea predetermined fraction of a revolution upon 4each forward stroke of the segment 84.

At a plurality of equally spaced points within the circumference of the wire helix being'coiled. a number of supporting cylinders |82 are provided which are freely rotatable on respective trunnions |34 journaled in the outer extremities of fixed spider arms |88, whose inner portions are secured to a hub |38 carried by a fixed supporting bar |40. As thus-arranged it will be apparent that as the wire I2 is intermittently advanced, a substantially helical coil. such as shown in Figure 6, builds up or gradually accumulates Y around the several cylinders |82. As the operation proceeds, the completed collapsed helical entanglement, with the many convolutions clipped to one another at staggered intervals, is fed longitudinally of the supporting cylinders |82 which jointly constitute a take-up device for accommodating the intermittently accumulated helical wire' entanglement.

During each dwell period. while the segment 84 is making its back stroke, a complete cycle of operation takes place at the clip forming station i4. This coordination is accomplished through the operation of a cam |42 carried by the shaft 82. This cam has a rise |44 effective to lift a cam follower |48 secured to the outer end of a lever |48 pivoted at |50 to the position of Figure 4 against the action of a tension spring |52 which normally tends to hold the cam follower in contact with the circular dwell portion |54 of the cam. At its forward end the lever |48 carries a manually retractable nger |58 which works in the annulus between collars |58 and |80 secured to a vertically slidable rod |82.

When the finger |58 is manually retracted. the automatic coordination of operations is rendered ineffective. Thus the operator can manually control the locations at which clips may be applied for special purposes, or the orderly staggering may be deliberately varied at times to suit the particular needs of the type of entanglement used in different terrains. For most purposes the automatic control will be desirable and the finger |58 will normally be in position to actuatethe rod |82.

When the rise |44 on the cam depresses the forward end of the lever |48, a downward impulse will be transmitted to the rod |82 which is effective to trip a bell crank lever |84 which serves to actuate a one-revolution clutch |88 of the clip forming punch press indicated as a whole at |88. This one-revolution clutch and the main operating parts of the punch press are of conventional design and therefore need not be Suffice it to say that the press includes the usual'ywheel |10 which normally rotates freely on the shaft |12 of the press. The flywheelI is constantly driven by a belt |14 trained over a motor |18 `and when the clutch lever |84 is tripped the shaft |12 makes one complete revolution. This shaft carries a conventional form of cam or eccentric 18 which is suitably connected to the aforesaid reciprocating head 24 which is slidable in guides formed in or secured to the frame of the press.

The shaft |12 (Figures 3 and 12) at one extremity carries a member |82 having a crankpin |84 adinstablv mounted therein. A pitman |88 `transmits motion from the crankpin to a lever |88 carrying 'a pa-wl |80 which coacts with a aratchet |92 secured to a shaft |84 which carries a clip stock feed roll |96. vImmediately above the feed roll |96 `there is a coacting roll I66` mounted on a shaft 200. The arrangement is such that for each revolution of the shaft |12 the rolls |96 and |96 advance a sumcient length of clip stock s from the supply reel through a guide 202 to form one substantially U-shaped clip such as shown at u in Figure 14. After the requisite length of clip stock hasA been advanced and the head 24 descends. the knife 22 carried thereby shears off a short length of clip stock as indicated in Figure 13. Continued downward movement of the head 24 forces the main die member 26 from the position of Figure 13 to the position of Figure 14. During this movement the severed springfarrange'ment being provided so as to Permit the fingers to yieldwhen a previously at. tached clip C comes in contact therewith. The fingers will merely snap back to the position g shown in Figure 4 after each clip passes them.

n in the pathfof movement ofthe clips have aguid-` In other `words. the lingers which are normally ing and feeding function which is effective to properly direct the incoming wire to the space between the upwardly extended legs of the U-like length of clip stock shown in Figure 13 is forced into the cavity 204 ofk the lower portion of the, die 32 by the two male members 26 and 26, which are slidable relative to the inner male die member 30 located between them. The members 26 and 26 move in unison with the upperportion of the head 24 and they thus partake of the full clip and also to advance the accumulating p0rtions of the helix longitudinally ofthe rotatable supporting cylinders |62 carried on the outer ends of the fixed spider a 'I'he clip stock supply reel I6 is preferably driven by an individual electric motor 260 through suitable gear reduction 232 which drives p a pulley 204 connected by a belt 266 to a pulley 236 secured to a shaft 240 which carries a hub 242 from which radiates av plurality of spider stroke of the actuating cam or eccentric which reciprocates the'head. 'I'he die member 30 is secured to a head member 24* which moves rela- 25 tive to the head 24, this krelative movement being permitted by the compression springs 206 interposed between the head members v24-and 24. As

the die members 26 and 26 move down, they carry with them two adjacent convolutions of the wire helix. Thus the male members 26 and 26. in cooperation with the cavity in the fixed female die 32, form a substantially U-shaped clip of the configuration shown in Figure 14.

Continued downward movement of the head 24 will force down the central or inner male die member 30, whereupon the cam-like outer wings 2|0-2I0 thereof in cooperation with the central wedge-like extension 2|2 thereof will bend the upper extremities of the U-like clip stock of Figure 14 inwardly and downwardly so as to thus curl them over the adjacent convolutions of the wire, thus rmly clinching the two legs of the clip to said convolutions. Thus it is apparent that upon the completion of the downward stroke of the head 24 the severed length of clip stock p will be firmly fastened to the two adjacent convolutions of the helix. Upon theup stroke of the head 24 stripper lingers or prongs 2|4 disposed upon the underside of the convolutions will serve to lift the thus united convolutions upwardly and out of the cavity 204 of the female die. 'I'his completes one clip forming and attaching cycle. Thereafter, as the segment 94 again moves forward, another length of clip stock will struction for periodically energizing the motor 290 whenever the roller reaches a predetermined position. By this means the relatively heavy reel of stock is periodically turned a fraction of a revolution. The mechanism is'effective to maintain a sufilcient amount of slack on the pay-off end of the reelof clip stock to relieve the feed rollers 40 |96 and |99 of the work of turning the relatively heavy reel. Thus the feed rollers can function to accurately advance the exact amount of stock necessary to form the clip C at each stroke of the head of the punch press.

For convenience in determining the output of the machine as reeeted by thenumber of clips applied, we provide a counter 264 (Figure 4), thev actuating arm 266 of which is connected by a link 266 with a pin 210 making a pivctalconnec- 50 tion with the lever |46. It is clear that for each be severed and the helix will be turned through two-ifths of a revolution andanother clip attaching operation will be performed. Since kthe convolutions previously clipped together areportions of a helix, the completed entanglement will be fed longitudinally of the supporting cylinders |32 with a screw-like actionby coaction with a plurality of feed fingers 2|6, 2|6, 220 and 222, some of which project between the adjacent convolutiors of the helix. These feed fingers are stroke of the segment 94 an impulse will be given tothe counte thus visually indicating the number of clips consecutively applied to the helix in staggered relation as hereinbefore disclosed.

From Ithe foregoing it is manifest that our invention provides an improved method and means for applying clips to circumferentially spaced portions of .a helical entanglement, the'clips being so staggered-along 4the helix that when the helix o is expanded or extended, a plurality of helically mounted on respective pivot` pins, as best shown in Figure 4, which are secured to adjustably mounted brackets 224 and 226. The ngers 2 I6 through 222 act in a manner analogous to a nutl in' coaction with the screw-like helical convolu-l tions. 'I'hus the turning movement of the helix feeds .the completed entanglement;longitudinally outward upon the supporting cylinders |62. Suitable springs 2| are provided to impositively hold the fingers against stop pins 226, this yielding disposed lozenge-shaped wire figures will result. The thus configured wire entanglement constitutes an eective hazard for either motor driven or animal drawnpieces of war equipment.

If desired, the clips can be either weldedor manually applied in the staggered manner set forth. Thus the method of producing the en- A tanglement is not limited to the use 'of the ma- 4chine disclosed. But in the interest of speed and -m economy in manufacture it is highly desirable to utilize the improved automatic mechanism including the various instrumentalities which we have coordinated in the novel combination set forth to perform the sequence ofvoperations here.

7 4 inbefore set forth in detail.

It is tovbe understood that the descriptive matter which refers to turning the helix two-fifths of a revolution for each stroke of the segment which drives the feed wheels is to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. Instead of advancing the wire stock in two-.fifth increments we may, for example, advance the helix twosevenths ofa revolution at each stroke of the segment gear 94 or may select some other odd fractional rotation, the important feature being to so rotate the helix in intermittent increments that a staggering arrangement of the clips will be present so as to transform the convolutions into a multiplicity of lozenge-shaped portions when the thus united helical convolutions are subsequently expanded or Yextended.n

While we have described quite specifically a preferred sequence of operations and have disclosed in considerable detail a specific apparatus tor carrying out such operations. it is not to be construed that we are limited thereto since various modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. The method of making wire entanglements adapted to be axially expanded, which comprises .forming a helix of wire and independently joining juxtaposed convolutions to one anotherat a multiplicity of predetermined circularly spaced locations by independent joints staggered along the helix as said juxtaposed convolutions are being formed.

2. The method of making entanglements adapted to be axially expanded, which comprises coiling a continuous length of wire in intermittent stages in such manner that the convolutions thereof lie closely adjacent, and during the dwell periods between said stages individually joining the several juxtaposed convolutions to one another by independent joints in staggered relation as said juxtaposed convolutions are being formed.

3. The method of making entanglements which comprises forminga helix of metal wire with the convolutions thereof of substantially uniform diameter, securing at leastl one clip to two adjacent convolutions, forming an additional convolution as a continuation of those previously formed, the helix being turned through a predetermined angle about its axis during the forming operation, securing the last formed convolution to its adjacent convolution by a clip and similarly repeating the forming and fractional rotation ofthe helix and clip attaching step to thus clip together the several convolutions at a multiplicity of predetermined circularly spaced and independently expanslble locations.

4. 'Ihe method of making entanglements which comprises forming in separate equal arcuate increments a helix of metal wire with the convolutions thereof of substantially uniform diameter, securing one clip to two adjacent convolutions after each angular increment is formed, then securing at least one more clip to the same two adjacent convolutions, forming a third convolution in separate equal increments, and attaching clips to the one of the first-named convolutions next adjacent said third convolution and to said third convolution at points intermediate the locations at which the first mentioned clips were attached to the first two convolutions mentioned.

5. The method of making entanglements which comprises forming in separate equal arcuate in- 75 crements a helix of' metal wire with the convoluto the one of the first-named convolutions next adjacent said third convolution and to said third convolution at points intermediate the locations at which the first. mentioned clips were attached to the first two convolutions mentioned, and repeating the aforesaid steps in like manner until an entanglement of desired extent is fabricated. l 6. The method of making entanglements which comprises forming in separate equal arcuate increments an helix of metal wire with the convolu- Y tions thereof of substantially uniform diameter. securing one clip to two adjacent convolutions after each angular increment is formed, then securing'at least one more clip to the same two adjacent convolutions, forming a third convolution in separate equal increments, attaching clips to the one of the first-named convolutions next adjacent said third convolution and to said third convolution at points intermediate the locations at which the first mentioned clips were attached to the ilrst two convolutions mentioned, the peripheral length of the arcuate increments being equal to the length of periphery of the circle which would enclose the helix divided by an unequal number.

7. The method of making entanglements which comprises forming convolutions of wire in continuous coiled juxtaposition alongside one another. feeding clip stock transversely thereto, periodically severing the stock and forming clips therefrom, and clinching respective clips to adjacent convolutions at predetermined substantially equally spaced locations as said juxtaposed convolutions 'are being formed, so that when the entanglement is expanded the said convolutions will be so bent as to form a series of lozengeshaped figures,

8. The method of making entanglements which comprises intermittently forming arcuate convolutions of wire in coiled juxtaposition alongside one another, feeding a strip of clip stock transversely thereto, severing said stock periodically and forming U-shaped clips therefrom in such manner that adjacent convolutions are straddled thereby at predetermined locations, clinching respective clips to said convolutions, forming an additional convolution as a continuation of those previously formed, turning the thus assembled structure during the said forming operation, and repeating the aforesaid helix forming, turning, stock feeding, clip forming and clip clinching steps.

9. The method of making entanglements which comprises forming a helix of wire with the convolutions in close proximity, feeding a strip of clip stock axially of said helix, severing a portion of said clip stock, bending the extremities of the severed portion to form a U-shaped clip whose legs straddle adjacent convolutions of said helix, clinching the extremities of said clip legs around adjacent convolutions, forming a fractional convolution as a continuation of convolutions previously formed, turning said helix for each said predetermined fraction of a revolution, then severing another portion from said strip and forming another U-shaped clip, clinching said second mentioned clip to the juxtaposed convolutions, then periodically repeating such helix forming, turning, stock feeding, severing, clip forming and clinching operations after each fractional revolution of said helix to thus clip together the convolutions at a multiplicity of predetermined substantially equally spaced locations.

10. Apparatus of the character described com-vl prising means for supporting a supply of wire, means-for forming a helical coil from wire fed therefrom, means supporting a supply of clip stock, means for feeding the clip stock transversef 1l. Apparatus of the character described comprising pay-olf means for supporting a supply of wire, means for forming a helical coil therefrom, means for periodically imparting a turning motion to said helical coil, spaced rotatable means jointly supporting the coil with freedom for said turning motion, means supporting a supply of clip stock, feed means for periodically advancing a. predetermined length of said stock, means for periodically severing each said length and forming a U-shapedclip therefrom, and means for clinching each said clip to juxtaposed convolutions of said helical coil.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising pay-off means for supporting a supply of 15.`In al machine of the character described,

- means for forming a wire helix, means for periodlcally imparting va fractional rotation 4to the helix,means supporting asupplyof clip stock. means for severing said stock and forming clips therefrom, and means for securing respective clips to spaced pairs of individual convolutions of the wire helixat predetermined circularly spaced locations.

16. In a machine of the. character described,"

means for feeding and forming wire stock into convolutions of a helixcomprising feed wheels and forming rollers, guide meansfor maintaining.

adjacent convolutions of the wire helix in a predetermined side-by-side spaced relation. means for feeding clip stock transversely of said convolutions, means for severing portions -of the clip stock, means for bending the severed portions to wire, means for forming a helical coll therefrom,

means for periodically imparting a turning motion to said helical coil, spaced rotatable means jointly supporting thecoil with freedom for said- Vturning motion, means supporting a supply ofvclip stock, feed means for periodically advancing a. predetermined length of `said stock, means for periodically severing each said length and V.forming a U-shaped clip therefrom, means for clinching each said clip to juxtaposed convolutions of said helical coil, and mechanism coordinating the movements of said feed means, said clip forming means and said clinching means, with the dwell periodsintervening between said turning movements of the helical coil. y

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising means rotatably supporting a supply of wire, feed wheels for withdrawing wire therefrom, a plurality of coacting rolls effective to bend the wire to arcuate form as it is fed forward between the feed wheels, a plurality of circularly arranged cylinders freely rotatable-about fixed axes and adapted to support convolutions of a helix of wire formed by the feed wheels and bending rolls, means for positively driving at least one of said cylinders intermittently so as to periodically rotate the helix of wire formed by the aforesaid parts a predetermined fraction of a revolution, means for periodically forming VU-shaped clips. and means for periodically clinching said clipsto adjacent convolutions of the helix.

14. In a machine of the character described, a supply of wire stock, a plurality of circularly disposed cylinders rotatable about flxed axes, feed U-form with the legs thereof straddling adjacent convolutions o f the helix, and means for clinching the legs of each clip about said straddled convolutions. l 17. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting an approximately circular bundle of wire, feed wheels for withdrawing wire stock therefrom, rollers for bending the wire thus withdrawn to arcuate form, `a plurality of fixed arms to theouter portions of which are secured vrotatable members adapted to accommodate the wire helix formed by the joint cooperation of the feed wheels and the bending rolls, means for periodically driving one of vsaid members so as tov intermittently rotate the wire helix thus formed a predetermined fraction of a revolution, means for supporting a supply of clip l stock, means for severing short lengths of said stock, cooperating die elements for forming U- shaped clips from said severed lengths, and means for clinching the clips to spaced pairs of convolutions of the wire helixv at predetermined spaced locations.

18. Apparatus of the character described comprislng means for supporting an approximately circular bundle of wire, feed wheels for withdrawing wire stock therefrom, rollers for bending the wire thus withdrawn to arcuate form, a plurality ci xed armsto the outer portions of which are secured rotatable members adapted to accommodate the wire helix formed by the jointcqoperation of the feed wheels and the bending rolls, means for periodically driving one of said inembers so as to intermittently rotate the wire helix thus formed a predetermined fraction of a revolution, means for supporting a supply of clip stock, means for severing short lengths of said stock, cooperating die elements for forming U- l shaped clips from said severed lengths with dev(il) wheels and forming rollers eifective to form a wire helix about said cylinders, means for positively driving one of said cylinders at intermittent time intervals so as to impart fractional rotation of the wire helix at such intervals, means for supporting a supply of clip stock, means'for feeding the clip stock therefrom ytransversely o fadiacent convolutions of the wire helix thus formed, means for severing the clip stock, means for forming U-shaped clips from the said severed portions, and means for clinching said clips to adjacent-oo npressed seats therein, pivoted guide fingers for maintaining proper spaced relationbetween adjacent convolutions of said helix toalign the convolutions thereof with said seats in the clip, and means for bending. the upper ends of said U- shaped clip inwardly to thus forcibly secure the convolutions of the helix within said seats of the l clips.

19. In a machine of the character described, means rotatably supporting a supply of wire stock,

meansfor coiling the same into a helix of large diameter, mean's for rotatably supporting'a sup- 1 ply of clipstock, means for feeding the clip'stock lfin adirection transverse tothe convolutions of -said helix, means f or periodically severing the volutions of the helix at predetermined'circularly I spaced locations.

lengths of clip-stock, means for forming U-shaped clips from the severed lengths with the legs thereo! straddling adjacent convolutions o! the helix, a plurality o! guide lingers which normally project between the convoiutlons of the helix so as to alignthe same between thelegs of the U- shaped clips, means pivotally mounting the iingers so as to permit them to swing out of the way of the attached clips when the helix is intermittently rotated, and yielding means normally holding the guide lingers in such position that they are in the path of movement of said clips.

20. In a machine of the character described, means for coiling wire into the form of a large I diameter helix, a plurality o! guide ngers which normally project between adjacent convolutions thereof, means for feeding clip stock transversely below two adjacent convolutions of the helix.

i0 swing out of the way when contacted by previously applied clips upon partial rotation of the helix, and respective spring means normally positioning theflngers in the path oi said clips.

I8 CARL H. PETERSON.

V. MOREN. 

